Level



April 12, 1927.

o. D. HAPGOOD LEVEL Filed Feb. 19, 1926 (9M 19. B Y (Bu-H.9

,q TTO ENEY Patented Apr. 12, 1927.

UNITED STATES P ATENT OFFICE OSCAR D. HAPGOOD, OF MONTAG'UE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO GOODELL-PRATT COMPANY, OF GREENFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHU- SETTS.

Application filed February This invention relates to levels and more particularly to means for mounting spirit levels upon a level stock so that they may be readily adjusted to correct their reading.

It is usually desirable to mount a pair of spirit levels in each of the level receiving openings of a level stock to facilitate reading of the level when either straight edge is placed against the work, and it is important that each spirit level be accurately adjusted with respect to the straight edges of the level so that they will read correctly.

The present invention therefore relates to simple means for mounting a pair of spirit levels within the bore of a level stock so that each spirit level may be easily and accurately adjusted independently of the other. 7

One important feature of the present invention resides in a pair of level carriers which are pivotally connected for independent adjustment about their pivot point and in means for retaining each carrier in the desired position of adjustment.

A-nother feature of the invention resides in means that may be readily adjusted to gradually swing a carrier about its pivot point to the desired position of adjustment.

Still another feature of the invention resides in the construction whereby the spirit levels may be readily adjusted without removing or disassembling parts of the supporting casing.

The various features of the invention and novel combination of parts will be best ui'nilerstood from the following description and accompanying drawings of one good practical form of the invention.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a level provided with means constructed in accordance with the present invention for supporting and adjusting the spirit levels;

Fig. 2 on an enlarged scale is a face view of a portion of Fig. 1, showing a pair of spirit levels disposed at a slight angle to each other;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but shows the spirit levels adjusted toward each other into parallel relation;

Fig. l is a sectional view taken on the line t-4 of Fig. 2;

, LEVEL.

19, 1926. Serial No. 89,331.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the inner face of a supporting ring or side plate; Flg. 6 is a perspective view of the tube carriers mounted upon the other supporting ring or side plate; and

ig. 7 Figs. 5 and 6 assembled and looking toward the pivotal connection for the tube carriers. The level stock shown in the drawings and designated by 10 may be formed of wood, inetal or other suitable material, and as shown is provided with a central bore in which a pair of horizontally extending spirit levels 11 and 12 are mounted, and the level stock is provided with additional bores adjacent its opposite ends in which the vertically disposed spirit levels 13 and 1 1 are mounted. The bore or opening in which the spirit levels are mounted may be variously formed, and as shown is counterbored at each. side of the stock 10 as-at 15 to thereby form the central web portion 16 having a somewhat smaller diameter than the counterbored portions 15. This construction however is not an essential feature of the present invention since the bore for the spirit levels may be given various constructions.

In each of the bores of the level stock 10 are preferably mounted a pair of level carriers 17 and 18, each of which is preferably formed in the shape of an are or semi-circle as shown, and these carriers are preferably pivotally connected to each other at one end as will be apparent from the drawings, wherein each of the carriers is shown as provided with a lug portion 19 that extends into overlapping relating with a similar'lug portion of the other carrier, and these two lug portions are provided with aligned drill holes adapted to receive a pivot pin 20. As a result of this construction the carriers 17 and 18 are adapted to be moved about their pivot pin towards and from each other to different positions of adjustment, as will be apparent upon comparing Figs. 2 and 3. Each of the carriers 17 and 18 is provided with a spirit level such as designated by 11 to 1 1- inclusive in Fig. 1. These spirit levels are mounted in sleeves 20" that extend inwardly from the inner curved face of the carriers near their opposite ends, as will be apparent from Fig. (3,

is an edge view of the parts of lll and the opposite ends of the spirit levels may be protected by suitable plastic material 20 as is usual. i

The sine and shape of the connected carriers 1.? and 18 is prone-ably such that they will lie within the bore of the central web portion lb of the stock 10, as best shown in Fi and the width or thickness of the carriers 17 and l8 is preferably slightly less than the width of the flange portion 16 so that when the rings or side plates 21 and are mounted in the counterlnnied portions 1? oi" the stock, these rings will retain the carriers 17 and l8 in place w ithout exerting a clamping pressau'c upon the oppositel' aces ot' the carriers.

ln the construction shown both ot the rings or side plates 21 and :22 are illustrated as i'einorably mounted in the bore of the stock, and this is desirable when the stock is termed of wood, but if the stock made of n'ietal this is not essentiah since it desired, one of the rings or side plates ill may constituti an integral port-ion oi" the stock. \Vhen the ring is not formed integral with the stock 10 it desirable to provide the same with a locating lug 22 adapted to enter a correspondingly shaped notch termed in the stocli 10 to aid in properly positioning the carriers within the stock and also to pre vent the ring 22 from turning in the stock after the parts have been assembled.

The pivot pin is preferably rigidly secured to one of the rings or side plates to thereby prevent the carriers 17 and 18 from rotating; or moving bodily within the bore of the stock 10, and to this end, in the con struction shown, thepin 20 is litted snugly in a drill hole 't'orined in the ring; and projects :l'roin the inner face oi this ring. T he opposite end of the pin 20' may enter a sachet or drill hole :23 formed in the inner hire of the ring or side plate Ql.

The means shown for securing the opposite rings or side plates within the bore of the etoclc l0 consists oi through bolts Bl each of which has an enlarged head that lits within a countersunk hole in the outer lace oi the ring 21, and the opposite end o'l? each bolt 24- is screwed into the threaded hole 2-3 of the ring Each of the car riers l7 and 18 preferably has a portion 26 thereof cut away to clear these securing, bolts, and, as above stated, the width of the web 16 is preferably such that the rings 21. and 22 my be held in tight clamping engagcnient with the opposite faces of the weblli withoutexerting a clamping pressure upon the adjustable carriers, 17 and 1-8,

'lhe means for moving the level carriers towards and from each other for independent adjustment may be variously constialcted. and the means shown to this end consists of the adjusting screws 27 having threaded engagement with drill holes formed in the ring 21, and each of these screws has a tapered or pointed end 28 adapted to engage a lace oi one oi the carriers to force the same inwardly towards the other carrier with a wedging action. To facilitate the adjustment of the carriers 17 and 18 by the screws 27. each of the carriers is provided with a cut a my portion 29, and, as will be apparent from Fig. (5, the opposite faces of the carriers l7, 18 are similarly cut away so that the adjusting screws 27 may act upon either side portion of a carrier.

In the construction shown, the free ends ol? the carriers '1? and l8 are urged a my from each other by a compressed spring 30 the ()fJpOHltf! ends of which are received in sockets formed in the ends of the carriers 17 and 18;; the arrangement is such that when the parts are assembled the spring 30 will exert a continuous sjzireading action upon the carriers to hold them against the adjusting screws 27, and each carrier may be adjusted independently ol the other carrier by simply rotating its adjusting screws 27. It should be noted that since tl": adjusting; screws 2"? are mountedwithin threaded holes within the ring .21 so that the outer ends ofthese screws are accessible from the exterior of the level caein o', they may be readily adjust-ed after the parts of the level have been assembled by merely engaging the point of a screwdriver with the screw 27 that is to be rotated. After the screws 27 have been once adjusted to cause the spirit levels to read pro iierly they should not be disturbed until 'lurther adjustment is IIQCGSSZII'y HlHl in order to prevent these screws frontbeing accidentally rotated, it may be desirable to construct the same as best shown in Fig. 4-, wherein it will be seen that the outer ends (ii the screws 27 are spaced inwardly from the outer face of the ring 2-1 to permit a short cover screw ill to beinounted in the threaded holes for the screws to thereby protect and cover the outer ends of these screws. ll? is desirable to provide each side of the level sup' 'iortingg' inning with protecting cover plates 32 formed of glass or other trans 'iarent niatcrial and in the constrimtion shown these cover plates 32 are secured in place by providing each of the rings 2.1 and 22 with a countersunk portion 3?) adjacent its inner face to receive a glass plate 32 and these plates may be retained in place by bending edge portions of the rings :21 and in wardly to form lips; Ill (intending over the edges of the glass plates to hold them in place, as best shown in Fig.

From the foregoing description when read in connection with the drawings, it will be seen that each of the carriers 17 and 18 may be adjusted about the pivot pin 20 means is mounted in the central bore, the

outer rings or side plates 21, 22 should be rotated to a posit-ion in which the levels 11 and 12 lie substantially parallel with the straight edges of the stock 10 before the clamping screws 2a are tightened, whereas if the level supporting means are mounted in the bore adjacent either end of this stock the rings 21, 22 should be rotated to a position in which the levels extend transversely of the stock before the clamping screws 24 are tightened. The rotation of the ring 22 to the proper position before the parts are assembled may be insured by forming the notch that receives the lug 22 at a predetermined point.

It should be noted that by mounting the pivoted carriers within the bore 16 of the stock between the side plates 21 and 22, and by positioning the level adjusting screws 27 in a side plate as shown, the entire level mechanism may be mounted within an annular bore formed in the stock 10 and as a result it is unnecessary to form additional drill holes or recesses in the stock to receive the level adjusting screws. In this manner the cost of constructing the complete level is materially reduced.

lVhat is claimed is 1. A spirit level, comprising in combination, a level stock having an annular bore,

, a ring mounted in. the bore at one side of the stock and provided with a lug that engages a portion of the stock to prevent the rin from rotating in said bore, a level carrier pivotally mounted upon said ring for swinging adjustment within the bore, a. level tube mounted upon the carrier, a second ring mounted in the bore at the opposite side of the level, and adjusting means for rocking the level carrier about its pivotal mounting and for retaining the same in the desired position of adjustment.

A spirit level, comprising in combination, a level stock having an annular bore formed transversely through the stock and having its ends counterbored to form seats for the side rings, a side ring mounted in each seat, a pair of curved level carriers mounted in said bore and pivotally connested for swinging adjustment relatively to each other, a level tube'mounted upon each carrier, a fixed pivot pin secured to one of said rings and projecting into said boreto form a bearing pin to which the carriers are pivotally secured, adjusting means mounted upon one of said rings for holding the carriers in different positions of adjustment, and through bolts extending through said bore from one ring to the other for securing the rings in place.

8. As an article of manufacture, a spirit level mounting adapted to be secured in the bore of a level stock and comprising in combination, a pair of carrier supporting rings one of which is provided with a laterally extending pivot pin, a pair of curved level carriers adapted to be mounted between said rings and each having an end that is pivotally secured to said pin, through bolts extending from one ring into engagement with the other to connect the rings,

and adjusting means extending from the inner face of a ring into engagement with a carrier to adjust the latter relatively to the ring.

41-. A spirit level, comprising in combination, a level stock having a bore formed transversely through the stock, a curved level carrier mounted in said bore for adjustment therein, a pair of rings mounted in the bore at the opposite sides of the carrier to hold the carrier between them, means for pivotally connecting the carrier to one of said. rings, and an adjusting screw mounted in one of the rings to extend longitudinally of the bore and having a pointed inner end for exerting a wedging action on the carrier in a direction at right angles to the axis of the screw to swing the carrier about its pivot point.

5. A spirit level, comprising in combina tion, a level stock having a bore formed. transversely through the stock, a pair of carrier supporting rings adapted to be mounted in said bore, meansfor fastening the rings therein, a pair of curved level car riers mounted between said rings and pivotally connected to one of the rings for rocking movement, a level tube mounted upon each carrier, and adjusting means extending from the inner face of a ring into engagement with a carrier to adjust the latter about its pivot point.

p 6. A spirit level, comprising in combination, a level stock having a bore formed transversely through the stock, a spirit level mounting adapted to lie in its entirety within said bore so that the opposite faces of the stock adjacent the bore will be free from projecting parts and including, a pair of curved level carriers mounted within said bore and having their ends connected for rocking movement relatively to each other, a level tube mounted upon each lcarrier, a ring mounted within said bore to retain the carriers in place therein, and a pair of screws one for each carrier mounted within said hove to adjneli the carriers about their pivot point and the screws being arranged so that they extend tiai'is'veisely oi the level stock lenggizhwise of said hole to be operated from a aide face of the stock.

7. A spirit level, comprising in combination. a level stock having a bOl'G foi'ineijl liaiieveirsely through the r-ifOClI, a pair of curved level Clllllfilr mounted in said bore side platen within the bore at opposite sides of lheeaiiiers for holding 'lhe carriers Wilhin the hone, means for pivotally connecting the carriers to a side plate Z oi' rocking movement, a spring" for urging the carriers apart,

=a level 'luhe niouni'ed uponeach carrier, and

a pair of screws one for each carrier exiending through a side plate transversely oi the steel: and havingan inner end ihal engagee a carrier to shift it.

b. A spirit level,comprising in CO1l1l)l1l1l tion, a level stool; having a bore i'oinied Llill'ltii'lflkl) through the stock, a pair of curved level carriers mounted in said here. a level i'uhe mounted upon each eaririei', side plates within said here for holding; the. eunllOl'S therein, means for pivolxz'illy connecting the carriers; to a side plate for rocking moveinenh and an adjust-inn screw for each carrier mounted in a side plate within said here in npaeed relation to the surrounding wall of the stock and having an inner end that engages the carrier to shift it.

E). A spirit level comprising in combinzv lion, :1 level stock havii'ig a bore formed ll'ansvei'sely through the stock, a pair of carved level carriers mounted in said bore and eaeh having a hinge lug construei'ecl to lie in overlapping relation to the hinge lug ol' the other carrier, :1 level luhe niouni'ed OSCAR I). HAIPGOOD.

All 

